The Beautiful Game: The World’s Most Date-able XI Revealed

While the whole country will be watching them as they kick off their quest for world domination next week, it seems England’s footballers are no longer as ‘match fit’ as their international compatriots in the eyes of the nation’s ladies.

Not a single English player managed to force their way into the first XI!

Spain’s Gerard Pique pipped France’s Olivier Giroud to the title of the world’s most date-worthy player

After polling Britain’s ladies on which footballers they would most like to date, Match has compiled a world-beating team of international eye candy:

With traditional front-runners Italy out of the picture, Spain, Germany and France supply two players each into Match’s Dateable XI. Spain is also the main supplier from club football, with five of the line-up having plied their trade at Spanish teams during the 2017-18 season.

Despite their playboy reputation, over three quarters (77%) of British women said they would be happy to date a footballer if given the opportunity.

Similarly, 76% said they would be happy to watch football in a pub as a first date, meaning there’s all to play for for Britain’s many new love matches over the weeks ahead.

Vicki Pavitt, dating expert for Match, comments:

“Just like the dating game, where it’s important to go beyond just the profile pic and learn more about the person, the beautiful game is about a lot more than looks. Although they didn’t make it into our Dateable XI, we’ve no doubt our boys will do us proud when it matters and give Britain the perfect match it deserves.”